![]() ![]() None of the cocoa powders tested by CR exceeded the limit for cadmium, but two had high levels of lead. See the CR story for complete test results. Sixteen of the 48 products had amounts above CR’s levels of concern for at least one of the heavy metals-in some cases more than twice CR’s limit-but there were safer options in each category of chocolate products. But every product CR tested had detectable amounts of lead and cadmium. But other chocolate products contain cacao too, in varying quantities-from cocoa powder, which is essentially pure cocoa, to milk chocolate, which can have very little.Īs expected, dark chocolates tended to have higher levels of heavy metals and milk chocolate lower. Dark chocolate tends to have higher levels of cacao. In chocolate products, the lead and cadmium are concentrated in the cocoa (or cacao), the ingredient that gives chocolate its distinctive flavor. ![]() However, CR’s tests are not assessments of whether a product exceeds California’s or any other legal standard-they are meant to indicate which products had comparatively higher levels of heavy metals. CR’s scientists measured heavy metal content against California’s standard levels because there are no federal limits for the amount of lead and cadmium most foods can contain, and they believe that California’s standard levels are the most protective available. To assess the risk from lead and cadmium, CR looked at whether a serving of each product would expose someone to California’s standard maximum allowable dose levels (MADL) for lead (0.5 micrograms per day) and cadmium (4.1 micrograms per day). Products came from big name brands like Hershey’s, Nestlé, and Ghirardelli national retailers like Costco, Trader Joe’s, Target, Walmart and Whole Foods and specialty makers like Droste and Navitas. CR also added a few dark chocolate bars to its tests. CR’s scientists tested 48 different products in seven categories-cocoa powder, chocolate chips, milk chocolate bars, and mixes for brownies, chocolate cake, and hot chocolate. ![]() As a leading and popular brand, it’s time for Hershey’s to make a firm, time-bound commitment to get dangerous levels of heavy metals out of its chocolate products.”Īfter CR released its dark chocolate test results last December, the consumer group wanted to see whether other cocoa-containing foods posed a risk. “Our tests have found that other brands have succeeded in producing chocolate products with lower levels of heavy metals that are safer for consumers. “Toxic levels of heavy metals like lead and cadmium shouldn’t be found in our favorite chocolate products,” said Brian Ronholm, director of food policy at Consumer Reports. CR has launched a new petition calling on Hershey’s to reduce heavy metal levels in all of its chocolate products. In May, CR delivered more than 75,000 petition signatures from consumers urging the company to take action in light of the dark chocolate test results. In March, Hershey’s chief financial officer told Reuters that the company “continue to look for opportunities” to reduce levels of heavy metals in its dark chocolate, but no firm commitments have been announced since that time. Last year, CR found that a number of Hershey’s dark chocolate bars had some of the highest levels of lead or cadmium of all brands it tested. ![]() Hershey’s milk chocolate, an iconic Halloween treat, had the highest levels of lead in CR’s tests. YONKERS, NY – Consumer Reports is calling on Hershey’s to step up its efforts to reduce the levels of toxic heavy metals from its chocolate products after its latest tests found the company’s cocoa powder, popular for hot chocolate and holiday baking, had concerning levels of lead. ![]()
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